Systems and methods for generating and sending electronic messages related to a tax return

ABSTRACT

Sending electronic messages related to a tax return from a mobile communication device of an accountant or client. Computers having tax preparation programs that are utilized prepare tax returns are synchronized with a host computer. A browser executes on a mobile communication device and a web application on the second computer executes to display a client list. A client is selected, and the web application presents an interface including tax return data of the selected client on the mobile communication device. The interface includes an icon or object that when selected generates a message window that may be at least partially automatically populated. A message may be typed in the window and sent from the mobile communication device. For example, the accountant may send a self-addressed message to a computer utilized to prepare the tax return, or the client may send the accountant a message.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to preparation of tax returns. Accountants and taxprofessionals have utilized financial management and tax preparationprograms to manage finances and tax matters for their clients. Forexample, accountants and tax professionals utilize financial managementprograms such as QuickBooks® and tax preparation programs such asLacerte®, ProSeries®, TurboTax® ProLine™ Tax On-Line, available fromIntuit Inc. and other programs including, for example, programsavailable from Thomson Reuters, CCH and Drake Software. QuickBooks®,Lacerte®, ProSeries® and TurboTax® are registered trademarks of IntuitInc. as well as financial management and tax preparation programsavailable from other sources. While these and other financial managementand tax preparation programs have been used effectively in the past,accountants often have difficulty tracking the status of matters such astax returns.

For example, an accountant receives many calls from clients about theirtax returns throughout the day. Sometimes the accountant is at his orher computer such that the accountant can accept the call, use thecomputer and tax preparation program to open the tax return of theclient who called to review the tax return and answer the client'squestion. At other times, the accountant is away from his or her desk,e.g., the accountant may be out to lunch, at a meeting, traveling, etc.In these cases, the accountant is not seated at the desk and cannotutilize the computer and tax preparation program to access the taxreturn of the client who called. Consequently, when away from thecomputer, the accountant may not be able to accept client calls or ifcalls are accepted, may be required to advise the client that the clientmust wait for the accountant to return to the office or guess as to ananswer to the client's question. Thus, the client may not receive anacceptable answer and may have to wait hours or days for an answer. Thiscan be frustrating, inconvenient and problematic as tax return filingdeadlines approach.

These shortcomings ultimately result in diminished or lack ofresponsiveness and a decline in customer service to the client and aredue in part to the limited resources and capabilities of accountants,particularly during tax season, limited access to tax preparationprograms and tax returns prepared thereby since accountants have accessto tax preparation programs, which can be costly (particularlyprofessional programs purchased by accountants) and, therefore, are notpurchased or accessed by clients, and the need in many cases forspecialized tax and accounting knowledge to prepare a tax return. Thus,even if the client has purchased a tax preparation program and canaccess the tax return, the client may not even know where to search foran answer since tax returns can be complex. These and other factors haveresulted in clients relying on accountants for tax return informationand direct accountant-client communications, thereby resulting inclients having difficulties acquiring information about their taxreturns since they are forced to rely on another person and the programutilized to prepare the return may not even be available to the client.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is directed to a method for providing tax return data toa mobile communication device. The method comprises steps of receivingtax return data from a first computer of an accountant of the tax returnand at a second or host computer over a first network. The methodfurther comprises receiving, at the second computer, a request for taxreturn data from a mobile communication device, e.g., of the client oraccountant, that is transmitted over a second network comprising awireless network and allowing the mobile communication device to accesstax return data hosted by the second computer in response to therequest.

Another embodiment is directed to a method for providing tax return datato multiple or different mobile communication devices and comprisesreceiving respective first tax return data of a first plurality of taxreturns of a first plurality of clients from a first computer of a firstaccountant preparing tax returns, the respective first tax return datais received at a second computer over a first network, and receivingrespective second tax return data of a second plurality of tax returnsfrom a third computer of a second preparer, the respective second taxreturn data being received at the second computer over a second network.The method further comprises receiving, at the second computer, a firstrequest for tax return data of a selected client of the first pluralityof clients, the first request being received from a first mobilecommunication device, e.g. of the client or the first accountant, over athird network comprising a first wireless network, and allowing thefirst mobile communication device to access tax return data of theselected client of the first plurality of clients hosted by secondcomputer through the first wireless network in response to the firstrequest. The method further comprises receiving, at the second computer,a second request for tax return data of a selected client of the secondplurality of clients, the second request being received from a secondmobile communication device, e.g. of a second client or secondaccountant over a fourth network comprising a second wireless network,and allowing the second mobile communication device to access tax returndata of the selected client of the second plurality of clients hosted bythe second computer through the second wireless network in response tothe second request.

A further embodiment is directed to a method for retrieving tax returndata with a mobile communication device and comprises selecting a clientfrom a list of a plurality of clients for whom a tax return is beingprepared using a mobile communication device that is transportable bythe accountant preparing the tax return to a location that is remoterelative to a first computer utilized to prepare the tax return. Themethod further comprises transmitting a request for tax return data ofthe selected client from the mobile communication device to a secondcomputer over a first network comprising a wireless network, the firstcomputer and the second computer being in communication with each otherthrough a second network. Tax return data of the selected client isaccessed by the mobile communication device.

A further embodiment is directed to a method for transmitting a messagerelated to a tax return to a computer utilized to prepare the taxreturn. The method comprises selecting a client from a list of aplurality of clients for whom a tax return is being prepared using amobile communication device of a client or accountant and that istransportable to a location that is remote relative to a first computerutilized to prepare the tax return. The method further comprisestransmitting a request for tax return data of the selected client fromthe mobile communication device to a second computer over a firstnetwork comprising a first wireless network, the first computer and thesecond computer being in communication with each other through a secondnetwork, and allowing the mobile communication device to access taxreturn data of the selected client. The method further comprisesgenerating an electronic message related to at least one of the clientand the received tax return data using the mobile communication deviceand transmitting the electronic message from the mobile communicationdevice to the first computer over a third network comprising a secondwireless network. Thus, with embodiments, accountants can sendthemselves a message about a client or tax return, e.g., if the clientcalls and the accountant is out of the office or does not have access tothe tax return, and the message may remind the accountant about what wasdiscussed with the client, and clients can send e-mails to accountantsafter viewing their tax return data hosted by the second computer.

Yet another embodiment is directed to a method for transmitting amessage related to a tax return to a computer utilized to prepare thereturn and comprises executing a browser on the mobile communicationdevice to display a user interface including a list of clients for whomrespective tax returns are being prepared. The user of the mobilecommunication device, in certain embodiments, is the accountantpreparing respective tax returns with a tax preparation programexecuting on a first computer that is in communication with a secondcomputer over a first network. The second computer hosts tax return dataof a plurality of clients of the accountant, and the list of clients isdownloaded from the second computer to the mobile communication deviceover a second network comprising a first wireless network. The methodfurther comprises the user or accountant selecting a client from thelist to display tax return data of the selected client, selecting amessage icon or object within the interface to launch a message programon the mobile communication device, entering message data into a dataentry window generated by the message program to create the electronicmessage related to the tax return, and transmitting the electronicmessage from the mobile communication device to the first computer.Further, in the event that the client utilizes a mobile communicationdevice to access tax return data, the client list may include only theclient's name (for confidentiality purposes).

An additional embodiment is directed to a method for providing anelectronic message related to a tax return to a computer utilized toprepare the tax return and comprises the user of a mobile communicationdevice preparing at least a portion of respective tax returns ofrespective clients using a tax preparation program executing on a firstcomputer at a first location. Respective tax return data of respectivetax returns generated by the tax preparation program is uploaded fromthe first computer to a second computer, e.g. using a synchronizationprogram executing on the first computer, which is in communication withthe second computer through a first network. The method furthercomprises the accountant or client leaving the first location andarriving at a second location that is remote relative to the firstlocation, i.e., a location away from the first computer such that theaccountant and client cannot access the tax return on the firstcomputer. The method further comprises executing a browser on the mobilecommunication device at the second, remote location to retrieve taxreturn data comprising a list of clients from the second computerthrough a second network comprising a first wireless network, selectinga client from the list that is displayed within an interface generatedby a web application executing on the second or host computer andaccessing or receiving tax return data of the selected client from thesecond computer at the mobile communication device. A message icon orobject within the interface is selected by the accountant to launch amessage program on the mobile communication device, and the accountantenters message data into a data entry window generated by the messageprogram to create the message related to the tax return. The message isthen transmitted from the mobile communication device to the firstcomputer. Embodiments may also apply to providing the client with mobileaccess to the data in which case the client list may include only theclient name, and the client may, for example, send a self-remindermessage or a message to the accountant.

Yet another embodiment is directed to synchronizing tax return dataprepared using a tax preparation application on a first computer with asecond computer and a mobile communication device. Further embodimentsare directed to synchronization programs and mobile access or downloadapplications that can be implemented as software, hardware orcombinations thereof, and that are operable to synchronize a computerthat is utilized to prepare a tax return and to allow a mobilecommunication device to access synchronized tax return data such thatupdated or current data of the first computer can be displayed on themobile communication device.

Other embodiments are directed to systems for providing mobile access totax return data. Systems may be configured to implement methodembodiments described above.

For example, one embodiment is directed to a system for providing taxreturn data to a mobile communication device. The system comprises afirst computer, a second computer and a mobile communication device. Atax preparation program executes on the first computer and is utilizedby the accountant to prepare a tax return on behalf of a client. Thefirst and second computers are in communication with each other througha first network and are operable such that tax return data generated bythe tax preparation program is transmitted from the first computer tothe second computer. The mobile communication device, which can becarried or transported by the accountant to a location other than orthat is remote relative to a first computer, is in communication with orcan establish a connection with the second computer through a secondnetwork comprising a wireless network. A browser executes on the mobilecommunication device to load a web application and request access to taxreturn data hosted by the second computer over the wireless network.

According to another embodiment, a system for providing tax return datacomprises a host computer comprising a download application asynchronization program, which may reside on the host computer or onanother computer that can be accessed by the host computer. The systemmay, in certain embodiments, also include a computer and a taxpreparation program that may be utilized to prepare a tax return. Thehost computer is configured or operable to execute the synchronizationprogram to receive tax return data from a computer utilized to prepare atax return (e.g., a computer of an accountant) through a network. Forthis purpose, for example, the host computer may be operable orconfigured to download the synchronization program onto the computerutilized to prepare the tax return. Upon installation and execution ofthe synchronization program, the host computer is operable or configuredto receive tax return data from the computer utilized to prepare the taxreturn. The host computer is further operable or configured tocommunicate with a mobile communication device to provide mobile accessto tax return data that was uploaded to the host computer with thesynchronization program. For this purpose, the download application ofthe host computer can be accessed by a mobile communication device,e.g., executed as a result of entry of an address or location of thedownload application into a browser executing on the mobilecommunication device, and is operable or configured to receive a requestregarding a particular client and to allow mobile access to tax returndata stored on the host computer.

Certain system embodiments are directed to multiple computers and amobile communication device in which a tax preparation program isexecuted on a first computer to prepare a tax return, thereby generatingtax return data, and synchronized with the other computer(s) such thatthe mobile communication device can access synchronized tax return datagenerated by the tax preparation application.

System embodiments may involve one accountant or multiple accountants,each of which has one or multiple clients and that have respectivemobile communication devices for retrieving respective tax return datafrom the second or host computer. Thus, in such embodiments, theaccountants utilize their respective tax preparation programs executingon their respective computers to prepare respective tax returns forrespective clients. Tax return data from each computer utilized toprepare a tax return is transmitted to the second or host computer. Eachaccountant can utilize a mobile communication device to access anddisplay tax return data of their own clients.

Other system embodiments involve a mobile communication device on whicha browser executes to connect with the second computer and download taxreturn data to the mobile communication device. Tax return data that isaccessed by and displayed on the mobile communication device based uponselection criteria such as client identifier or name, which can beselected by the preparer using an interface that is generated by anapplication executing on the second computer.

In certain system embodiments, the interface generated by theapplication executing on the mobile communication device may include anicon or object that may be selected by the user to launch a messageprogram that generates window for entering data utilizing the keyboardof the mobile communication device. This allows the accountant to enterdata into the mobile communication device, and the resulting message maybe sent from the mobile communication device to the computer utilize toprepare or access the tax return, thus serving as a self-reminder forwhen the accountant returns to the office and a message is waiting atthe computer to remind the accountant of the client conversation thatoccurred thus enabling the accountant to remember which client calledand the nature of the client's inquiry. Thus, in these systemembodiments, the accountant utilizes the first computer and taxpreparation executing thereon to begin preparation nor prepare a taxreturn and a mobile communication device such a cellular telephone orSmartphone to send a reminder to the first computer when the accountantis away form the desk or office, and the accountant can read the messageat the first computer when the accountant returns to the first computer.

System embodiments may involve providing accountants with mobile accessto tax return data of their clients and providing clients with mobileaccess to their own tax return data.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile communication device, such as acellular telephone or a Smartphone, is utilized and carried by anaccountant who prepares tax returns on behalf of clients utilizing a taxpreparation program executing on the first computer at a first location.With embodiments, the accountant is able to access tax return data suchas tax return status, why a tax return was rejected by a tax authority,a refund or payment amounts and information required to complete thereturn with the mobile communication device. This information generatedor provided by the tax preparation program can be accessed with themobile communication device at a location that is remote relative to thecomputer utilized to prepare the tax returns. For example, theaccountant may be away from the first computer in a different office inthe same building, traveling in a car or on a train, at the airport, orin a different city, state or country.

With one or more embodiments, a synchronization program is loaded ontothe first computer that is utilized by the accountant to prepare taxreturns. The synchronization program can be downloaded from the secondor host computer and can be launched each time data is to be uploaded tothe second computer or the synchronization program can execute in thebackground to upload tax return data from the first computer to thesecond computer automatically. After a connection is established betweenthe first and second computers, the accountant enters a user name or login and a password to access the second computer, and respective data ofrespective tax returns of respective clients of the accountant aretransmitted from the first computer to the second computer tosynchronize the first and second computers such that they have the sametax return data. This may be done periodically (e.g., hourly, daily,etc.) or in response to a pre-determined action or change, e.g., anupdate to tax return data of one or more clients.

Respective data uploaded from the computer utilized to prepare taxreturns is stored at the second computer with respective addresses,locations or identifiers. Thus, when a request for tax return data ismade using a mobile communication device, an application for accessingtax return data executes on the second or host computer to provideaccess to a client list, which is displayed on the mobile communicationdevice. The accountant selects a client, and tax return data at anaddress or location or identified by the identifier corresponding to theselected client can then be accessed by the mobile communication device.The tax return data that is accessed by and displayed on the mobilecommunication device may be all of the tax return data that was uploadedby the first computer or only a portion of the uploaded data, e.g., ifthe user selects the client and also selects certain information of theclient to be downloaded or if the second computer is configured todownload only certain types of tax return data.

Embodiments may involve a single accountant and clients of the singleaccountant for whom respective tax returns are prepared. Embodiments mayalso involve multiple accountants and their respective clients. Thus,one or multiple accountants can access and view respective tax returndata for selected clients from the second computer utilizing their ownrespective mobile communication devices.

With embodiments, the computers that are used to prepare the tax returnand the second or host computer are synchronized such that tax returndata on each of the preparation computers is uploaded to the secondcomputer and all of the computers utilized to prepare tax returns aresynchronized with the second or host computer. On the second computer,tax return data can be stored at a particular address, location or pageaccording to an accountant identifier or accountant name. A browser isexecuted on the mobile communication device, which is connected to thesecond computer by entering or loading the address or location of theweb application on the second computer. The web application providesaccess to, displays or downloads the client list on the mobilecommunication device and tax return data of a client selected from thelist.

In one or more embodiments in which an electronic message such as ane-mail or text or Short Message Service (SMS) message is sent from themobile communication device to the first computer, a portion of theelectronic message may automatically populated in response to theprepare selecting the client. For example, if the accountant wants tosend a self-reminder to the first computer, the “To” field of theelectronic message may be automatically populated with an electronicmail address of the accountant, and a subject field of the electronicmessage may be automatically populated with information related to atleast one of the selected client and tax return data of the selectedclient.

Further, with embodiments, accountants are able to access, view ordownload data about a selected client with a “single click” of a clientname or other identifier on the mobile communication device. This allowsthe accountant to quickly access important client and tax return datawith a single screen or single click.

Embodiments may involve financial data including tax return data and/oraccounting data generated utilizing tax preparation and/or financialmanagement programs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments are described in furtherdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system constructed according to one embodiment forproviding mobile access to tax return data;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for providingmobile access to tax return data;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for providingmobile access to tax return data;

FIG. 4 generally illustrates tax returns of different clients havingdifferent tax return data;

FIG. 5A illustrates examples of status indicators and how statusindicators can be mapped to a smaller set of status indicators fordisplay on a mobile communication device;

FIG. 5B further illustrates how status indicators can be mapped to asmaller set of status indicators for display on a mobile communicationdevice;

FIG. 6 generally illustrates tax return data of different clients beingstored on the second or host computer based at least in part upon aunique identifier of the accountant;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating how synchronized data can beaccessed using a browser executing on the mobile communication deviceand a web application hosted by the second or host computer;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a log-in or authentication screengenerated by the web application and displayed on the mobilecommunication device;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a keypad that may be generated by theweb application and displayed on the mobile communication devicerequesting the accountant to enter a pin before displaying a clientlist;

FIGS. 10A-B are examples of screen shots or interfaces including taxreturn data of a list of client names and additional tax return datathat is displayed upon selecting a client name from the list shown inFIG. 10A;

FIGS. 11A-B are further examples of screen shots or interfaces includingtax return data of a list of client names and text status indicatorspresented together and additional tax return data that is displayed uponselecting a client name from the list shown in FIG. 11A, and whereinFIG. 11B illustrates a message icon or object that can be selected bythe accountant to allow the accountant to prepare and send an e-mail orother electronic message from the mobile communication device to thecomputer used to prepare the tax return;

FIGS. 12A-B are other examples of screen shots or interfaces includingtax return data of a list of client names and visual or graphic statusindicators presented together and additional tax return data that isdisplayed upon selecting a client name from the list shown in FIG. 12A,wherein FIG. 12B illustrates a message icon or object that can beselected by the accountant to allow the accountant to prepare and sendan e-mail or other electronic message from the mobile communicationdevice to the computer used to prepare the tax return;

FIGS. 13A-C are further examples of screen shots or interfaces includingtax return data of a list of client names and visual or graphic statusindicators presented together and additional tax return data that isdisplayed upon selecting a client name from the list shown in FIGS.13A-B, wherein FIG. 13C illustrates a message icon or object that can beselected by the accountant to allow the accountant to prepare and send atext or other electronic message from the mobile communication device tothe computer used to prepare the tax return;

FIG. 14 illustrates a system constructed according to another embodimentfor providing multiple accountants mobile access to their respective taxreturn data using their respective mobile communication devices;

FIG. 15 illustrates a system constructed according to another embodimentfor generating and sending messages related to tax return from a mobilecommunication devices to a computer utilized to prepare the tax return;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for generatingand sending messages related to tax return from a mobile communicationdevices to a computer utilized to prepare the tax return;

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a message window or interfacedisplayed on the mobile communication device, certain fields of whichmay be automatically populated with tax related data;

FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment in which a client name within ascreen generated by a tax preparation application is highlighted orindicated as a result of receiving an electronic message from the mobilecommunication device at the first computer on which the tax preparationprogram executes to prepare the tax return;

FIG. 19 illustrates a system constructed according to another embodimentin which multiple accountants generate and send respective messagesrelated to tax return from respective mobile communication devices; and

FIG. 20 is a system diagram of components of computing apparatus thatmay be utilized by various system components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are directed to providing mobile access to financial datasuch as accounting and tax return data and for providing accountantsand/or clients with the ability to send electronic messages related toaccounting data and tax return data from a mobile communication deviceto, for example, allow the client to send an e-mail, e.g., to theaccountant, and to allow the accountant send a self-reminder to thecomputer utilized to prepare a tax return such that when the accountantreturns to the office, a message about a client or client inquiry iswaiting for the accountant. Thus, with embodiments, accountants and/orclients are able to access client and tax return data and send messagesfrom anywhere at anytime. Embodiments provide these capabilities withina secure environment such that clients and accountants can accesspersonal and confidential data on a mobile communication device.

These capabilities also allow the accountant to respond to clientinquiries when the accountant does not have access to the tax return,e.g., when the accountant is at a remote location such as out of theoffice, at a meeting, out to lunch, away from his or her desk, at anairport, at a hotel, in a car, on a train, etc. Embodiments also provideimportant tax return data at fingertips of the accountant and/or client,which may be presented in a single screen or downloaded by a singleclick of a client name, to allow accountants and clients to review taxreturn data and to allow accountants to promptly and accurately respondto client inquiries such as the status of the return, what additionalinformation may be required, an amount of a refund or amount due, etc,rather than informing the client that the client will have to wait untilthe accountant returns to the office to check on the client's taxreturn, thereby enhancing service provided to the client and providingconvenience to the accountant.

Further, with embodiments, the client and/or accountant can generate andsend an electronic message related to the tax return. For example, theaccountant may send a self-reminder from the mobile communication deviceto the computer utilized to prepare the tax return when the accountantis away from the office. More specifically, when a client calls theaccountant asking about a tax return, the accountant can then generate amessage indicating which client called and the nature of the inquiry andsend the message to, for example, the computer utilized to prepare thetax return. The message is waiting for the accountant when theaccountant returns to the office such that the accountant does notforget which client called and why the client called, which can beparticularly beneficial to accountants who have a large number ofclients and to accountants who tend to be forgetful.

Thus, it is believed that embodiments provide the first mobile platformthat provides mobile access to tax return data and that allows clientsand accountants to generate messages related to important tax returndata while they are on the go or at remote locations through a mobilecommunication device. In this regard, embodiments offer a new approachto accountant and client interactions and access to tax return data,which has traditionally been subject more limited disclosure andtransmission due limitations and limited access to certain taxpreparation programs and the personal and confidential nature of taxreturn data such as social security numbers, income, etc., which has andcontinues to be data that clients usually try to maintain secret orsubjected to limited disclosure. Various system and method embodimentsand aspects thereof are described in further detail with reference toFIGS. 1-20.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 constructed according to oneembodiment is configured or operable to provide mobile access toaccounting or tax return data and includes or involves a first computer110 of an accountant, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), attorney, taxprofessional or preparer 140 (generally, “accountant”) who, for example,prepares a tax return 111 on behalf of a client 150 such as anindividual taxpayer or other entity such as a corporation, partnership,trust, etc. (generally, “client”), a second, broker, facilitating, orintermediate computer or server 120 (generally, “second computer” 120)that may be managed or operated by a host 160, and a mobilecommunication device 130 of the accountant 140. Embodiments aredescribed with reference to preparation of a tax return 111 and taxreturn data 112, but embodiments may also apply to financial managementprograms and accounting data, e.g., accounting data generated usingQuickBooks® and/or other financial management programs. Further, whileembodiments are describe with reference to a mobile communication device130 of an accountant 140, in other embodiments, the mobile communicationdevice 130 may be a mobile communication device 130 of the client 150,or embodiments may involve mobile communication devices 130 of both theaccountant 140 and the client 150. For ease of explanation, notlimitation, reference is made to a mobile communication device 130 ofthe accountant.

The first computer 110 is at a first location 115 (represented by dashedboundary line), which may be a fixed location such as an office of theaccountant 140 or other location where the first computer 110 is used toprepare the tax return 111. The first computer 110 is operably coupledto or in communication with the second computer 120 through a network170 a, and the second computer 120 is operably coupled to or incommunication with the mobile communication device 130 through a network170 b. Each of the networks 170 a-b and other networks discussed herein(generally, network 170) may be different, or two or more networks 170may be the same depending on the system configuration and communicationprotocols employed. One or more or all of the networks 170 may be, forexample, a wireless or cellular network (e.g., for communicationsbetween the mobile communication device 130 and the second computer120), a Local Area Network (LAN) and/or a Wide Area Network (WAN).Reference to a network 170 generally is not intended to refer to aspecific network or communications protocol, and embodiments can beimplemented using various networks 170 and combinations thereof.

The mobile communication device 130 is at a second location 135(represented by dashed line) that is remote relative to the firstlocation 115. A “remote” location is defined as a location at which theaccountant 140 cannot access the first computer 110 to access or viewthe tax return 111 of the client 150. Thus, a “remote” location 135 maybe a different location within the accountant's office (e.g., on adifferent floor, in a conference room, etc but at a location other thanat the first computer 110). A “remote” location 135 may also be alocation outside of the office, e.g., at another client, a restaurant,an airport or while the accountant 140 is in a car, train or other formof transportation.

The accountant 140 utilizes a tax preparation program 113 that executeson the first computer 110 (or an on-line version of the tax preparationprogram 113) to prepare the tax return 111 on behalf of the client 150.The tax return 111 includes various types of tax return data 112 such asthe client 150 name, the status of the tax return 111 (e.g., whetherincomplete, filed, rejected, etc.), an amount of a refund or amount due,information that is required to complete the tax return 111, etc.Examples of known tax preparation programs 113 that may be utilized inembodiments include professional and consumer tax preparation programsinclude Lacerte®, ProSeries®, TurboTax® ProLine™ Tax On-Line, programsavailable from Thomson Reuters, CCH and Drake Software and other tax andfinancial management programs.

The second computer 120 may be a computer or server of a host 160 andthat may serve as, or be in communication with, an electronic filingsystem or server that functions as a “clearing house” for formatting andtransmitting completed electronic tax returns 111 to a computer (notshown in FIG. 1) of a tax authority. The host 160 may be, for example,Intuit Inc. that provides a second computer 120 or server of the IntuitElectronic Filing Center for electronically filing tax returns 111 orother hosts 160 that provide tax preparation programs 113 and electronicfiling servers. The tax authority may be a federal tax authority (e.g.,Internal Revenue Service), a state tax authority and other taxcollecting entity (generally, “tax authority”).

The second computer 120 hosts a synchronization program or application122 (generally, “synchronization program”) (illustrated as “Sync” inFIG. 1) and a mobile access or download application 124 (illustrated as“App” in FIG. 1). The mobile communication device 130 includes a keypador other data entry device 131 (generally, “keypad”) and a displayscreen 132. Examples of mobile communication devices 130 that may beutilized in embodiments include, for example, a cellular telephone and aSmartphone such as the iPhone®, available from Apple, Inc. and variousother communication/computing devices such as the iPad®, also availablefrom Apple, Inc. and other tablet or tablet-like devices that are notutilized to prepare the tax return. iPhone® and iPad® are registeredtrademarks of Apple, Inc.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method 200 for providing tax return data 112 tothe mobile communication device 130 comprises, at step 202,synchronizing the first computer 110 utilized to prepare the tax return111 and the second computer 120. At step 204, a connection between themobile communication device 130 and the second computer 120 isestablished through network 170 b. At step 206, the second computer 120receives a request for tax return data 112 of the client 150 (or of aselected client 150 if the first and second computers 110, 120 aresynchronized with tax return data 112 of multiple clients 150) from themobile communication device 130 at the second computer 120, whichidentifies tax return data 112 hosted by the second computer 120 at step208, and provides access to or downloads the tax return data 111 fromthe second computer 120 to the mobile communication device 130 such thattax return data 111 can be viewed by the accountant 140 using the mobilecommunication device 130. Further aspects of system 100 and method 200embodiments and other embodiments are described with reference to FIGS.3-20.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method 300 for providing tax return data 112 tothe mobile communication device 130 comprises synchronizing the firstcomputer 110 and the second computer 120. Synchronization involves, atstep 302, the accountant 140 downloading (if not already downloaded) thesynchronization program 122 onto the first computer 110 utilized toprepare the tax return 111 and from the second computer 120 (as shown inFIG. 1) or from another source. FIG. 1 illustrates the synchronizationprogram 122 already downloaded onto the first computer 110.

At step 304, which may or may not follow step 302, the accountant 140begins preparation of or prepares at least a portion of a tax return 111on behalf of one or more clients 150 utilizing the tax preparationprogram 113 and the first computer 110. The tax preparation program 113,at step 306, includes or generates tax return data 112 such as personalidentification information including client 150 name and social securitynumber, and data relating to the tax return 111 such as status andwhether certain information is required to complete the tax return 111.

For example, as generally illustrated in FIG. 4, the accountant 140 mayrepresent multiple clients 150 n and the tax preparation program 113 isutilized to prepare respective tax returns 111 n for respective clients150 n, and each tax return 150 n has different tax return data 112 n.Tax return data 112 in the form of status may indicate the status of thetax return 111, e.g., filed, rejected, incomplete, etc. For example,referring to FIG. 5A, a tax preparation program 113 such as Lacerte® maygenerate status data 502 such as “irs rejected,” “federal rejected,”“rejected by the irs,” “state rejected,” “ready to send,” etc.

Referring again to FIG. 3, at step 308, the synchronization program 122is executed, and at step 310, requests the authentication or log-ininformation from the accountant 140. The accountant 140 may log-in byentering a user name 117 and password 118 with the first computer 110.When using a tax preparation program 113 such as Lacerte®, the user name117 may be an Intuit workplace ID that may, for example, be an e-mailaddress of the accountant 140 utilized to register with a host 160 suchas Intuit Inc. that provides tax preparation programs 113 such asLacerte® and services including electronic filing of tax returns.Assuming the log-in 117 and password 118 are correct, a connection isestablished between the first computer 110 and the second computer 120,and at step 312, respective tax return data 112 of respective taxreturns 111 is uploaded to the second computer 120 by thesynchronization program 122. At step 314, the second computer 120 storesthe received tax return data 112, e.g., in a table or other format asgenerally illustrated in FIG. 6 according to a unique identifier such asclient 150 name, social security number or another identifier such asthe user name, Intuit workplace ID or an e-mail address. The secondcomputer 120 may host tax return data 112 for one or multipleaccountants 140 based on such identifiers or other criteria.

Referring again to FIG. 3, at step 312, at a later time, the firstcomputer 110 and the second computer 120 may be synchronized again bythe first computer 110 transmitting tax return data 112 to the secondcomputer 120. Synchronization repeated periodically (e.g., hourly, dailyor weekly) or in response to a change of the tax return data 112 or anaction such as a browser refresh or log-in by the accountant 140. Thus,all of the tax return data 112 of respective tax returns 111 may beuploaded to the second computer 120 to synchronize the first and secondcomputers 110, 120. The accountant 140 may also select only certainclients 150 whose tax return data 112 should be uploaded to the secondcomputer 120 or only certain tax return data 112 of clients 150 thatshould be uploaded. Further, the accountant 140 may select certain typesof tax return data 112 of selected clients 150 to be uploaded. Thesynchronization program 122 may act upon all clients 150, all tax returndata 112, or only certain clients 150 and/or tax return data 112selected by the accountant 140. Further, the synchronization program 122may be programmed to only upload certain pre-determined types of taxreturn data 112 from the first computer 110 to the second computer 120,e.g., types of data that are considered the most important or commonlyneeded by accountants 140 when away from the office. For ease ofexplanation, reference is made generally to “tax return data” that isuploaded to the second computer 120 by the synchronization program 122.

Referring to FIG. 7, a method 700 for utilizing a mobile communicationdevice 130 to access, view or download tax return data 112 from a remotelocation involves, at step 702, the accountant 140 leaving the firstlocation 115 that includes the first computer 110 utilized to preparethe tax return 111 and arriving at the second location 135 that isremote relative to the first location 115. The accountant 140 may be outof the office or at a meeting. At step 704, the accountant 140 has aneed to access a tax return 111 of a client 150. For example, the client150 may call the accountant 140 while the accountant 140 is out of theoffice asking about the tax return 111, e.g., status of the tax return111, an amount of a refund or amount owed and whether any additionalinformation is required to complete the tax return 111.

Rather than telling the client 150 that the client 150 will have to waituntil the accountant 140 returns to the office, the accountant 140executes a browser 133 on the mobile communication device 130 at step706. A web address or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address 126 of themobile access application 124 on the second computer 120 is entered bythe accountant 140 into the mobile communication device 130 or loaded,e.g., from a bookmark, at step 708. In the illustrated embodiment, themobile access application 124 that is used to provide mobile access totax return data 112 with the mobile communication device 130 is a webapplication that can be loaded by any mobile communication device 130.In other embodiments, a native application of the mobile communicationdevice 130 can be used for this purpose. At step 710, the mobilecommunication device browser 133 accesses the second computer 120 toexecute the mobile access application 124 at the URL address 126.

At step 712, and with further reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the mobileaccess application 124 generates an authentication or log-in screen 800that is displayed on mobile communication device 130 to accountant 140.In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile access application 124 u ispart of a mobile access service called Lacerte® Mobile Connect of IntuitInc. and that is utilized with Lacerte®. It should be understood,however, that embodiments may involve other tax preparation programs 113and financial management programs, and the log-in screens 800 discussedherein are provided as examples of how embodiments may be implemented.

At step 714, the accountant 140 enters a user identification 802 andpassword 804 (e.g. using the keypad 900 shown in FIG. 9), which may bethe same identification and password 117, 118 (e.g., an accountant 140name, e-mail address or Intuit Workplace account if a tax preparationapplication such as Lacerte® is utilized) that were previously utilizedby the accountant 140. This information may be stored by a cookie forwhen the accountant 140 accesses the second computer 120 again.

Referring again to FIG. 7, and with further reference to FIG. 10A, atstep 716, an authorized connection is established between the mobilecommunication device 130 and second computer 120, and at step 718, themobile access application 124 generates an interface 1000 that isdisplayed on the mobile communication device 130 and that includes taxreturn data 112 such as a list 1010 of clients 150 for whom theaccountant 140 is preparing tax returns 111. In order to determine whichtax return data 112 or which list of clients 150 can be downloaded, thesynchronization program 122 and the mobile access application 124 may belinked by a unique identifier such that the log-in information 117, 118and 802, 804 that was entered by the accountant 140 to upload tax returndata 112 from the first computer 110 and to access the second computer120 with the mobile communication device 130.

At step 720, the accountant 140 manipulates user interface 1000generated by the mobile access application 124 and displayed on screen132 to select a client 150, e.g. by client name 1002. The selection orclick on the client name 1012 serves as a request for tax return data112 for that particular client 150. One or more other pages may also bedisplay to display the types of data for a selected client that areavailable to allow the accountant 140 to select types of data for aselected client. At step 722, the mobile access application 124identifies requested tax return data 112 of the selected client 150 andprovides access to the tax return data 112 via the browser 132 such thatthe requested tax return data 112 is displayed to the accountant 140 inresponse to the accountant 140 selecting or clicking the client name1012. Identified tax return data 112 may also be transmitted to ordownloaded to the mobile communication device 130. At step 724, theaccountant 140 can then discuss the tax return 111 with the client 150since the accountant 140 can view a single screen dashboard or snapshotof tax return data 112 on the mobile communication device 130 as aresult of clicking the client name 1012 rather than telling the client150 that the accountant 140 will have to call the client 150 back laterto discuss the inquiry. Further aspects of this functionality aredescribed with reference to FIGS. 10A-13C.

For example, with continuing reference to FIG. 10A, in one embodiment,the mobile access application 124 provides access or downloads taxreturn data 112 in the form of a list 1010 of client names 1012 to themobile communication device 130. Referring to FIG. 10B, the accountant140 may select client named 1012 “Dante Cassenego” in which case themobile access application 124 is executed to provide access to ordownload other tax return data 112 of Dante Cassenego such as status(“info pending”) 1014 and other information about the client 150 such ascontact information 1016 (e.g., e-mail address), phone number andaddress.

As another example, referring to FIG. 11A, an interface 1100, which maybe a single screen view, includes a list 1010 of client names 1012 isdisplayed together with text status indicators 1102 which, in theillustrated embodiment, appear below each client name 1012 (whereas inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10A, the client list 1010 includedonly client names 1012). The embodiment shown in FIG. 11A also allowsthe accountant 140 to search 1110 for client names 1012 by the firstletter of their last names. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG.11A, the interface 1100 provides for animated browser navigation that issimilar to Smartphones such as the iPhone® such that the accountant 140can select an “arrow” 1120 to horizontally move a page or screen of theinterface 1110 and open a new page or screen (e.g., as shown in FIG.11B) that includes additional tax return data about the selected client150.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11B, the tax return data 112displayed to the accountant 140 on the mobile communication device 130is more detailed than the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10B andincludes client 150 information including client name 1012, socialsecurity number 1130 (or last four digits thereof) and contactinformation 1016 including address, home phone and work phone. The taxreturn data 112 also includes an indication 1140 of whether any client150 information is missing such that the client 150 must provideadditional documents or information to the accountant 140 before theaccountant 140 can complete the tax return 111. Further, in theillustrated embodiment, the tax related data 112 includes e-filinginformation 1150 which, in the illustrated example, involves e-filinginformation of a federal tax return and various status 1014 indicatorssuch as transmission date, acceptance date, filing status (e.g., “ReturnMarked for EF”), and other indicators. Further, in the illustratedembodiment, the single screen snapshot of tax return data 112 includestax information 1160 such as an amount of a refund and a form in whichthe refund will be provided to the client 150 (e.g., in the form of acheck, electronic deposit, etc.). The tax information 1150 may alsoindicate an amount owed and how the amount owed is to be paid (e.g.,check, credit card, electronic payment).

As a further example, referring to FIG. 12A, an interface 1200, whichmay be a single screen view, includes a list 1010 of client names 1012displayed with respective status indicators in the form of visualindicators such as a “check mark” 1202 indicating that the tax return111 was electronically filed and accepted by the tax authority and an“X” 1204 indicating that tax return 111 is not complete or waselectronically filed and not accepted or that other action is required.Further, the interface 1200 includes tabs that can be selected todisplay different client lists. The “All Clients” tab 1210 (shows asselected in FIG. 12A) can be used to display a list 1010 of all of theclients 150 of the accountant 140. The list may or may not be presentedwithin a single screen view. Selecting the “Accepted” tab 1212 generatesa client list 1010 that includes names 1012 of clients 150 whose taxreturns 111 have been accepted by the tax authority. Selecting the “InProgress” tab 1214 generates a client list 1010 that includes names 1012of clients 150 whose tax returns 111 have not been completed. Selectingthe “Rejected” tab 1216 generates a client list 1010 that includes names1012 of clients 150 whose tax returns 111 have been completed and filed,but were rejected by the tax authority or for other reasons. Clicking ona client name 1012 (whether displayed by selecting tabs 1210, 1212, 1214or 1216) displays tax return data 112 as shown in FIG. 12B. Theinterface 1200 shown in FIG. 12 also shows whether the client 150 willreceive a refund 1170 which, in the illustrated example, the client 150will be receiving a refund in the amount of $3837, and the form ofpayment 1172 is a check.

FIGS. 13A-C illustrate other interfaces 1300 that may be utilized withembodiments and that embody animated navigation for single click accessto a plurality of different types of tax return data 112, e.g., using aniPhone or other Smartphone. The interface 1300 also displays statusinformation 1014 a and 1014 b indicating client status (whether unfiledor filed) and electronic filing (ef) status (accepted or rejected) and arefund amount 1170. Further, the interface 1300 may provide for clientalerts. With client alerts, rather than the accountant 140 reviewing taxreturn data 112 and verbally informing the client 150, client alertsallow the accountant 140 to approve of a direct notification where theclient is automatically informed of any change to their status, e.g.,via a SMS alert that pulls the mobile telephone number of a client fromthe tax preparation program 113 and uses that information to send thestatus updates.

Status indicators 1014 that are displayed may vary depending onembodiment implementations, the tax preparation program 113 utilized bythe accountant 140 and whether and how status indicators of the taxpreparation program 113 are mapped to a smaller set of status indicators1014 to be displayed to the accountant 140 on the mobile communicationdevice 130. For example, referring again to FIG. 5A, a tax preparationprogram 113 such as Lacerte® generates various tax return statusindicators 502. For purpose of displaying tax return data 112 on themobile communication device 130, it may be desirable to have a smallernumber of status indicators in which case the standard set of statusindicators 502 can be mapped or reduced to a smaller set 504 or, withfurther reference to FIG. 5B, an even smaller set of three statusindicators 506 (accepted, in progress, rejected). For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12A-B and 13C, tax return data 112comprising three status indicators 1014 (“Accepted,” “In Progress” and“Rejected” as shown in FIG. 5B) are utilized, whereas embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 10B and 11B utilize different status indicators1014. The particular status indicator 1014 utilized may vary and dependon, for example, the tax preparation program 113 utilized sincedifferent tax preparation programs 113 may have different statusindicators and whether and the manner in which status indicators aremapped to a smaller set of status indicators. Thus, FIGS. 5A-C and10A-13C are provided as examples of different status indicators 502,504, 506, 1014 that may be used and how they may be determined orselected.

It should be understood that embodiments can be implemented with variousinterfaces and other manners of displaying and clicking client names1012 to display various types of tax return data 112 on the mobilecommunication device 130. Thus, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.10A-13C are provided as illustrative and non-limiting examples of howembodiments may be implemented.

Further, it should be understood that embodiments may involve differentnumbers of accountants 140, clients 150, tax returns 111 and differenttypes of tax return data 112 that is uploaded from computers utilized toprepare tax returns to the second or host computer, and then accessed byor downloaded to different mobile communication devices 130 ofrespective accountants 140. For example, embodiments may involve oneaccountant 140 who is preparing one tax return for one client 150 suchthat tax return data of that tax return of that client 150 can beaccessed by the mobile communication of that accountant 140. Embodimentsmay also involve one accountant 140 who is preparing multiple taxreturns for one client 150 such that the accountant 140 can access ordownload tax return data of one or more tax returns of that client 150to the mobile communication device 130. Further, embodiments may involveone accountant 140 who is preparing one or more tax returns for each ofa plurality of clients 150 such that the accountant 140 can select aclient 150 from a list of clients 150 to access or download tax returndata for the selected client 150 (e.g., as described above withreference to FIGS. 10A-13C).

Moreover, referring to FIG. 14, embodiments may involve a system 1400including or involving multiple accountants 140 a-n who are preparingone or more tax returns 111 a-n for one or more respective clients 150a-n such that tax return data 112 a-n generated by their respective taxpreparation programs 113 a-n executing on their respective computers 110a-n is synchronized with the second computer 120 and stored, e.g.,according to a unique identifier such as name or e-mail address. Eachaccountant 140, using a mobile communication device 130 at a locationthat is remote relative to the computer 110 utilized to prepare theirrespective returns 111, executes a browser 132 on the mobilecommunication device 130 to establish a connection with the secondcomputer 120. The mobile access application 124 is executed to alloweach accountant 140 to select a client 150 from their list 1010 ofclients to access, view or download tax return data 112 for the selectedclient name 1012 using their respective mobile communication devices130.

For example, the second computer 120 may host tax return data 112 ofthree accountants 140 who work in San Diego. The first accountant 140 atravels to Chicago and accesses tax return data 112 a of one of hisclients 150 a using his mobile communication device 130 a. The secondaccountant 140 b travels in a car in Los Angeles and access tax returndata 112 b of one of her clients 150 b using her mobile communicationdevice 130 b. The third accountant 140 c is on a different floor of heroffice and away from her computer and access tax return data 112 c ofone of her clients 150 c with her mobile communication device 130 c.

Thus, it should be understood that embodiments may service one, ten,hundreds and thousands of accountants 140 at different locations andsimultaneously and that the second or host computer 120 may provideaccess to or download respective tax return data 112 to one, ten,hundreds and thousands of mobile communication devices 130 at differentlocations and simultaneously. Accordingly, system embodiments 100 and1400 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 14 are intended togenerally illustrate components of system embodiments and how they maybe linked together and cooperatively utilized to perform methodembodiments, but system and method embodiments may be implemented onmuch larger scales to serve accountants 140 in a particular geographicarea and in various cities, states and countries.

Further embodiments, which may be implemented using embodimentsdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1-14 in which a client name 1012is selected and tax return data 112 of that client 150 is displayed onthe mobile communication device 130, or independently of suchembodiments, involves the accountant 140 generating and sending anelectronic message, e.g., as a self-reminder, with the mobilecommunication device 130 when the accountant 140 is away from the officesuch that when a client 150 calls the accountant 140 asking about a taxreturn, the accountant 140 can then generate a message indicating whichclient 150 called and the nature of the inquiry and send the message to,for example, the computer used to prepare the tax return. Furtheraspects of messaging embodiments are described with reference to FIGS.15-19.

Referring again to FIGS. 11B, 12B and 13C, and with further reference toFIGS. 15-16, a system 1500 constructed according to one embodimentinvolves system components described with reference to FIG. 1 and alsoincludes a network connection 170 c between the mobile communicationdevice 130 and the first computer 110. A method 1600 for using thesystem 1500 shown in FIG. 15 to generate and send electronic messages1502 (such as electronic mail or Short Message Service (SMS) or textmessages) related to a client 150 or tax return 111 from a mobilecommunication device 130 comprises, at step 1602, selecting a messageicon or object 1190 within an interface displayed on the mobilecommunication device 130 which, in the illustrated embodiment, isprovided in the same single screen or snapshot view as the other taxreturn data 112. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11B, theaccountant 140 may select or click on the “Email Me a Reminder that Iwas here” icon or object 1190. As another example, referring to FIG.12B, the accountant 140 may select or click on the “Remind Myself viaEmail” icon or object 1190. As yet another example, referring to FIG.13C, the accountant 140 may select or click on the “Text Message” iconor object 1190.

Referring again to FIG. 16, and with further reference to FIG. 17, atstep 1604, a message program is launched on the mobile communicationdevice 130, thereby generating a message window 1702, one example ofwhich is shown in FIG. 17. The message program may be a native messageprogram such as a native e-mail or text program on a mobilecommunication device 130 such as the iPhone. In other embodiments, amessage program of the mobile access application 124 may be utilized.

According to one embodiment, at step 1606, certain fields of the messagewindow 1702 are automatically populated with data such that theaccountant 140 is not required to manually enter or type this data. Forexample, in one embodiment, the “To” field 1712 is automaticallypopulated with an e-mail address 1722 which, according to oneembodiment, is an e-mail address of the accountant 140 if embodimentsare to be utilized by the accountant 140 to provide a “self-reminder”when the accountant 140 returns to the office at the first location 115.The e-mail address 1722 that is entered may be the same e-mail that wasutilized for authentication or log-ins when uploading tax return datafrom the first computer 110 to the second computer 120 and whenestablishing a connection between the mobile communication device 130and the second computer 120 (as described with reference to FIG. 8).According to another embodiment, the “Subject” field 1714 isautomatically populated with data related to the client 150 or taxreturn 111 whose data 112 is being viewed by the accountant 140, e.g.,the client 150 that was selected as described with reference to FIGS.10A, 11A, 12A and 13A. In the illustrated embodiment, the Subject field1714 is automatically populated with a client name 1012. In anotherembodiment, both of the “To” and “Subject” fields 1712, 1714 areautomatically populated. In other embodiments, one or more of thesefields 1712, 1714 is not automatically populated.

Referring again to FIG. 16, and with continuing reference to FIG. 17, atstep 1608, the accountant 140 types a message 1732 into message field1732 of the data entry window 1702 and at step 1610, in one embodiment,the electronic message 1732 is transmitted from the mobile communicationdevice 130 to client 150 computer or to accountant 140/preparer asself-reminder. Other embodiments may involve sending the message 1732 toanother recipient or one or more additional recipients.

At step 1612, the accountant 140 leaves the second, remote location 135and returns to the first location 115 at which the first computer 110that was utilized to prepare the tax return 111 is located. For example,the accountant 140 may return to the office from a trip, from lunch orfrom a client 150 meeting. At step 1614, the accountant 140 opens andreads the electronic message 132 that was previously sent from mobilecommunication device 130 to first computer 110, e.g., using a nativeelectronic message program on the first computer 110 such as MicrosoftOutlook. Referring to FIG. 18, in another embodiment, an icon orindicator 1802, such as a flashing icon or indicator or flashing clientname, may be displayed in a screen 1810 generated by the tax preparationprogram 113 to indicate to the accountant 140 that the accountantreviewed tax return data 112 of that client 150 and/or to inform orremind the accountant 140 that an electronic message 1732 related to theidentified client 150 is waiting to be read by the accountant 140.

It should be understood that embodiments directed to sending anelectronic message 1732 such as an e-mail or SMS or text message can beimplemented with various interfaces and other manners of displaying andclicking a message icon or object 1190. Thus, the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 11B, 12B, 13C and 15-18 are provided asillustrative and non-limiting examples of how embodiments may beimplemented. Further, referring to FIG. 19, and as discussed before withreference to FIG. 14, it should be understood that embodiments mayinvolve different system 1900 configurations that involve differentnumbers of accountants 140, clients 150, tax returns 111 and electronicmessages sent from different mobile communication devices 130 ofrespective accountants 140 to their computers 110.

Referring to FIG. 20, components of a computing device 2000 that may bea component of system embodiments or utilized to perform various methodsteps includes a memory 2010, program instructions 2012, a processor orcontroller 2020, a network or communications interface 2030, andconnections or interconnect 2040 between such components. For example,the memory 2010 may be or include one or more of cache, RAM, ROM, SRAM,DRAM, RDRAM, EEPROM and other types of memory. The processor unit 2020may be or include multiple processors, a single threaded processor, amulti-threaded processor, a multi-core processor, or other type ofprocessor. Depending on the particular system component (e.g., whetherthe component is a computer or a hand held mobile communicationsdevice), the interconnect 2040 may include a system bus, LDT, PCI, ISA,or other types of buses, and the communications or network interfacemay, for example, be an Ethernet interface, a Frame Relay interface, orother interface. The network interface 2130 may be configured to enablea system component to communicate with other system components across anetwork 170 which, as explained above, may be a wireless or variousother networks. Moreover, one or more components of the computing device2000 may be located remotely and accessed via a network. Accordingly,the system configuration provided in FIG. 20 is provided for ease ofexplanation and illustration to generally illustrate system componentsthat may be utilized in various embodiments.

Method embodiments may also be embodied in, or readable from, acomputer-readable medium or carrier, e.g., one or more of the fixedand/or removable data storage data devices and/or data communicationsdevices connected to a computer. Carriers may be, for example, magneticstorage medium, optical storage medium and magnetooptical storagemedium. Examples of carriers include, but are not limited to, a floppydiskette, a memory stick or a flash drive, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-R,and DVD-RW. The processor 2020 performs steps or executes programinstructions 2012 within memory 2010 and/or embodied on the carrier toimplement method embodiments.

Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it shouldbe understood that the above discussion is not intended to limit thescope of embodiments. Such disclosure is provided for purposes ofexplanation and illustration only. Thus, various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theclaims.

For example, embodiments may involve different numbers of accountants,clients, tax returns, accountant computers, accountant mobilecommunication devices. Further, different types of tax return data,whether pre-determined or selected by an accountant, may be uploaded tothe second computer and accessed by or downloaded to the mobilecommunication device. Additionally, all or some of the tax return datathat was uploaded to the second computer may be accessed by ordownloaded to the mobile communication device.

Embodiments involving electronic messages sent from a mobilecommunication device may involve different types of messages including,but not limited to electronic mail (e-mail), text or SMS messages.

Further, while embodiments are described with reference to preparationof tax returns and tax data, embodiments may also involve other types ofdata such as accounting data. Additionally, embodiments may involvemobile access to tax return or other financial data from a mobilecommunication device of an accountant, from a mobile communicationdevice of a client or both. For example, the client may be provided witha user identification and password information to access tax returndata, e.g., summary data including a refund or amount owed, status,etc., which would be data resulting from preparation of the tax returnby the accountant using the tax preparation program. Moreover, whileembodiments are described with reference to a tax preparation programutilized by an accountant, embodiments may also involve a taxpreparation program utilized by a client and the client accessing his orher tax return data using a mobile communication device.

Moreover, while embodiments are described with reference to a singlescreen view of snapshot or dashboard of tax return data that can beaccessed with a single click of selecting a client, embodiments mayinvolve more complicated navigation in which the accountant mustnavigate multiple pages or make multiple selections or clicks beforeviewing the desired tax return data.

Moreover, embodiments may involve tax returns at various stages ofcompletion—including partially completed, substantially completed andcompleted, filed, unfiled, accepted and rejected.

While multiple embodiments and variations of the many aspects of theinvention have been disclosed and described herein, such disclosure isprovided for purposes of illustration only. Where methods and stepsdescribed above indicate certain events occurring in certain order,those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosurewould recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified andthat such modifications are in accordance with the variations of theinvention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performedconcurrently in a parallel process as well as performed sequentially.For example, synchronization may occur at various times during methods,e.g., periodically or in response to a change of data or action. Thus,the methods shown in various flow diagrams are not intended to belimited to a particular sequential order, particularly in instances inwhich certain steps may or may not be performed or may be performedsimultaneously. Accordingly, embodiments are intended to exemplifyalternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may fall within thescope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transmitting a message related to anelectronic tax return to a computer utilized to prepare the electronictax return, comprising: selecting a client from a list of a plurality ofclients for whom respective electronic tax returns are being prepared,the list being presented on a display of a mobile communication devicetransported by an accountant from a first location comprising a firstcomputer executing a tax preparation program used by the accountant toprepare respective electronic tax returns to a second location that isremote relative to the first location; transmitting a request forelectronic tax return data of the selected client from the mobilecommunication device to a second computer, the first computer and thesecond computer being in communication with each other; accessing thesecond computer and viewing electronic tax return data of the selectedclient utilizing the mobile communication device; generating anelectronic message related to at least one of the client and thereceived electronic tax return data using the mobile communicationdevice; and while at a second location remote relative to the firstlocation, transmitting the electronic message from the mobilecommunication device to the first computer such that an indicatorassociated with the electronic message identifies the selected client orelectronic message presented within a screen generated by the taxpreparation program.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreturning to the first location, accessing the tax preparationapplication and reading the electronic message displayed in the screengenerated by the tax preparation program.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the electronic message is automaticallypopulated in response to selecting the client using the mobilecommunication device.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a “To” field ofthe electronic message is automatically populated with an electronicmail address of the accountant and a subject field of the electronicmessage is automatically populated with information related to at leastone of the selected client and electronic tax return data of theselected client.
 5. The method of claim 1, the electronic message beingtransmitted from the mobile communication device comprising a cellulartelephone or a Smartphone.
 6. The method of claim 1, electronic taxreturn data generated by the tax preparation program being transmittedfrom the first computer to the second computer and subsequently accessedby the mobile communication device.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinelectronic tax return data stored at the second computer is associatedwith an identifier of the accountant, a connection with the secondcomputer is established with a browser executing on the mobilecommunication device such that when the address or location is loaded orentered into the browser, electronic tax return data associated with theidentifier is displayed on the mobile communication device.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, the electronic tax return data comprising at leastone of a status of the electronic tax return, an amount of a refund oramount owed, and information that is required to complete the electronictax return.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second computer hostsrespective data of respective electronic tax returns of respectiveclients of the accountant, the accountant selects a client utilizing themobile communication device, and electronic tax return data of theselected client hosted by the second computer is displayed on the mobilecommunication device in response to the request.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein electronic tax return data on the first computer is uploadedto the second computer to synchronize the first computer and the secondcomputer such that electronic tax return data accessed by the mobilecommunication device is updated or current electronic tax return data ofthe selected client at the first computer.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the list of the plurality of clients is generated by the taxpreparation program executing on the first computer, the method furthercomprising the data of the electronic message comprising an indicatoridentifying a name of the client within the screen generated by the taxpreparation program.
 12. The method of claim 1, the indicator comprisinga flashing icon.
 13. A method for transmitting a message related to anelectronic tax return to a computer utilized to prepare the electronictax return, comprising: executing a browser on a mobile communicationdevice to access the second computer and display a user interfacecomprising a list of a plurality of clients for whom respectiveelectronic tax returns are being prepared, a user of the mobilecommunication device preparing respective electronic tax returns with atax preparation program executing on a first computer at a firstlocation that is in communication with a second computer hostingelectronic tax return data of the plurality of clients, the list ofclients being accessed by the user with the mobile communication deviceat a second location remote relative to the first location; selecting aclient from the list to display electronic tax return data of theselected client; selecting a message icon or object within the userinterface to launch a message program on the mobile communicationdevice; entering message data into a data entry window generated by themessage program to create the electronic message related to theelectronic tax return; and transmitting the electronic message from themobile communication device at the second location to the first computerat the first location such that an indicator associated with theelectronic message identifies the selected client or electronic messagepresented with in a screen generated by the tax preparation program. 14.The method of claim 13, the user comprising an accountant who ispreparing an electronic tax return on behalf of the selected client. 15.The method of claim 13, after transmitting the electronic message,further comprising returning to the first location, accessing the taxpreparation application and reading the electronic message displayed inthe screen generated by the tax preparation program.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, wherein at least a portion of the electronic message isautomatically populated in response to selecting the client using themobile communication device.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a “To”field of the electronic message is automatically populated with anelectronic mail address of the user and a subject field of theelectronic message is automatically populated with information relatedto at least one of the selected client and electronic tax return data ofthe selected client.
 18. The method of claim 13, the electronic messagebeing transmitted from the mobile communication device comprising acellular telephone or a Smartphone.
 19. The method of claim 13, whereinelectronic tax return data stored at the second computer is associatedwith an identifier of the user, a connection with the second computer isestablished with a browser executing on the mobile communication suchthat when the address or location is loaded or entered into the browser,electronic tax return data associated with the identifier and hosted bythe second computer is accessed by the mobile communication device. 20.The method of claim 13, the electronic tax return data comprising atleast one of a status of the electronic tax return, an amount of arefund or amount owed, and information that is required to complete theelectronic tax return.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein electronictax return data on the first computer is uploaded to the second computerto synchronize the first computer and the second computer such thatelectronic tax return data accessed by the mobile communication deviceis updated or current electronic tax return data of the first computer.22. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of different types ofelectronic tax return data of the selected client is accessed by ordownloaded to the mobile communication device with a single click on themobile communication device by the user selecting the client.
 23. Themethod of claim 13, the indicator comprising a flashing icon.
 24. Amethod for providing an electronic message related to a tax return to acomputer utilized to prepare the electronic tax return, comprising:preparing respective portions of respective electronic tax returns ofrespective clients using a tax preparation program executing on a firstcomputer at a first location; uploading respective electronic tax returndata of respective electronic tax returns generated by the taxpreparation program from the first computer to a second computer that isin communication with the first computer; leaving the first location andarriving at a second location that is remote relative to the firstlocation; executing a browser on a mobile communication device at thesecond location to access the second computer, an application executingon the second computer that is operable such that a list of clients forwhich electronic tax returns are being prepared and respectiveelectronic transaction data is hosted by the second computer is accessedby the mobile communication device and displayed on the mobilecommunication device; selecting a client from the list of a userinterface displayed on a screen of the mobile communication device;viewing electronic tax return data of the selected client hosted by thesecond computer using the mobile communication device; selecting amessage icon or object within the user interface to launch a messageprogram on the mobile communication device; entering message data into adata entry window generated by the message program to create the messagerelated to the electronic tax return; and transmitting the message fromthe mobile communication device at the second location to the firstcomputer at the first location such that an indicator associated withthe electronic message identifies the selected client or electronicmessage presented within a screen generated by the tax preparationprogram.
 25. The method of claim 24, after transmitting the message,further comprising returning to the first location from the secondlocation; accessing the tax preparation application and reading theelectronic message previously sent from the mobile communication deviceat the first computer and displayed in the screen generated by the taxpreparation program.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein a “To” field ofthe electronic message is automatically populated with an electronicmail address of an accountant and a subject field of the electronicmessage is automatically populated with information related to at leastone of the selected client and electronic tax return data of theselected client.
 27. The method of claim 24, the electronic messagebeing transmitted from the mobile communication device comprising acellular telephone or a Smartphone.
 28. The method of claim 24, theelectronic tax return data comprising at least one of a status of theelectronic tax return, an amount of a refund or amount owed, andinformation that is required to complete the electronic tax return. 29.The method of claim 24, wherein a plurality of different types ofelectronic tax return data of the selected client is downloaded to themobile communication device with a single click on the mobilecommunication device by the user selecting the client.
 30. The method ofclaim 24, the indicator comprising a flashing icon.